A39669:1674
The Method of Grace
The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mystery of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mysterie of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...
London: printed by M. White for Francis Tyton, 1681
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
viz. 1. As Civil. 2. As Sacred.
As to civil freedom or liberty, it belongs not to our present business: Believers as to their civil capacity are not freed from the duties they owe to their Superiors. Servants, though Believers, are still to be subject to their Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, Ephes. 6. 5. nor from obedience to lawful Magistrates whom we are to obey in the ⟨p. 329⟩Lord, Rom. 13. 1, 4. Religion dissolves not the bonds of civil relations: nor is it to be used as an occasion to the flesh, 1 Pet. 2. 16. 'Tis not a carnal but a spiritual freedom Christ hath purchased for us: and this spiritual freedom is again to be considered, either
as 1. Inchoate. 2. Consummate.
The liberty Believers have at present is but a beginning liberty, they are freed but in part from their spiritual enemies: but it is a growing liberty every day, and will be consummate, and complete at last.